I bought one a few months ago, and I changed the lower string courses so each course has the same heavier gauge. And had those nut slides widened. This gives it more of a mando sound. I freaking love it. Forget barre chords. Its strength is melody, open chords, but it’s never going to sound like a mando for chords because of the different chord structures. Because I replaced the lighter gauges on those courses with heavier, I’ll either tune down a full step, or untune totally and release the tension to not tempt any neck problems. For melodies on Italian and Spanish numbers…sounds exactly like a mandolin. It’s a novelty instrument, and you have to approach it with novel ways to play and get the most out of it. Tuning it down a full step also reduces string pressure. Also, I don’t buy their strings. I buy single strings online.
Good info. Thanks for sharing! It is definitely an instrument with lots of possibilities. Easy to grab to fill in a higher melody. I also really enjoy it in open G or even just dropping the two lower bass courses.
Tuned like a 12 string guitar but up an octave, which makes it sound like a high strung guitar. There should be lots of places this instrument can be played in recordings and in bands.
As it is tuned like a guitar, one could use a capo to change the pitch. The key of A major would have a G form at the 2nd fret, or B flat at 3rd fret. Lots of tunes are in Bb. I don't know if this has a slight radius fret board. I would bet it does.
I bought one last year and then promptly injured my left shoulder seriously. So it sits in its case waiting, waiting, waiting..... I bought mine for the same reasons as you did. Beautiful instrument isn't it?
I play dobro and mandolin and guitar. I am toying with a different sound. I love the treble strings on this but the chimy notes on the bass strings is a little off putting. I already have a regular twelve string with that sound. If one already has a 12 string, just tune down a whole step and capo the second fret for a similar sound and feel. I was hoping for the richer sound of a mandola withought having to learn yet another instrument, but this is not it because of the chime strings. Speaking of strings... are these special strings or regular 12 string guitar strings?
@@mintonmiller Special strings by Gold Tone. A lot of people said they take off the high strings on the bass side. I considered this, but I found that I grew to like that 12 string at the 12th fret sound for some things. Gold Tone also sells 6 string versions, including an electric. You might consider an octave mandolin or Irish tenor banjo - octave down from the mandolin with same tuning. Cheers!
I am from Spain (Europe) and I am interested in acquiring this instrument in the USA. I have inquired from the company but am still waiting for an answer on this: can someone please tell me if they will work with 12 string acoustic guitar strings, and if so, what gauge? I ask because the distribution of the instrument and its strings does not reach Spain, so that if you buy it, you can change the strings. Thank you so much.
These are the string gauges for this 12 string mando guitar. You should be able to put it together from other sets of strings or individual that ypu could get locally. .018, .042w, .014, .032w, .010, .024w, .018, .018, .012, .012, .008, .008. I got this from the listing on Gold Tone: goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/instruments/f-12 Best Wishes!
